The Comforting Promise
August 15, 2007Another thought from one of my favorite theologians, A.W. Pink. This taken again from Comfort for Christians.
Observe the tense that is used here. It is not “how has he not with him also freely given us all things,” though this is also true, for even now are we “heirs of God” (Romans 8:17). But our text goes further than this: “How shall he not with Him also freely give us all things?” The second half of this wonderful verse contains more than a record of the past; it supplies reassuring confidence both for the present and future. No time limits are to be set on this “shall.” Both now in the present and forever and ever in the future God shall manifest Himself as the great Giver. Nothing for His glory and for our good will He withhold. The same God who delivered up Christ for us all is “without variableness or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).
Mark the manner in which God gives: “How shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” God does not have to be coaxed; there is no reluctance in Him for us to overcome. He is more willing to give than we are to receive. Further, He is under no obligations to any; if He were, He would bestow of necessity instead of giving “freely.” Remember that He has a perfect right to do with His own as He pleases. He is free to give to whom He wills.
The word “freely” signifies not only that God is under no constraint, but also that He makes no charge for His gifts, He places no price on His blessings. God is no retailer of mercies or barterer of good things; if He were, justice would require Him to charge exactly what each blessing was worth, and then who among the children of Adam could find the wherewithal? No, blessed be His name, God’s gifts are “without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1), unmerited and unearned.
Finally, rejoice over the comprehensiveness of this promise: “How shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” The Holy Spirit would here regale us with the extent of God’s wondrous grant. What is it you need, fellow Christian? Is it pardon? Then has He not said, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9)? Is it grace? Then has He not said, “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8) ? Is it a “thorn in the flesh”? this too will be given: “there was given to me a thorn in the flesh” (II Corinthians 12:7). Is it rest? Then heed the Savior’s invitation, “Come unto Me… and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Is it comfort? Is He not the God of all comfort (II Corinthians 1:3)?
“How shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Is it temporal mercies that the reader is in need of? Are your circumstances so adverse that you are filled with dismal forebodings? Do your cruse of oil and barrel of meal look as though they will soon be quite empty? Then spread your need before God, and do it in simple childlike faith. Do you think that He will bestow the greater blessings of grace and deny the lesser ones of Providence? No, “My God shall supply all your need” (Philippians 4:19). True, He has not promised to give all you ask, for we often ask “amiss.” Mark the qualifying clause: “How shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” We often desire things that would come in between us and Christ if they were granted, therefore God in His faithfulness withholds them.
Here then are four things that should bring comfort to every renewed heart. (1) The Father’s costly sacrifice:Our God is a giving God and no good thing does He withhold from them who walk uprightly. (2) The Father’s gracious design:It was for us that Christ was delivered up; it was our highest and eternal interests that He had at heart. (3) The Spirit’s infallible inference:The greater includes the less; the best Gift guarantees the bestowment of all other needed favors. (4) The comforting promise:Its sure foundation, its present and future scope, its blessed extent, are for the assuring of our hearts and the peace of our minds. May the Lord add His blessing to this meditation.